Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Key West Arts Center

Key West Art & Historical Society

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

1. The Key West Arts Center Marker

Inscription.
The City of Key West declared bankruptcy in 1930. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was tasked with an extensive restoration and beautification program to rebuild the local economy and transform the community into a vacation paradise. In 1935, the building became the first art gallery to exhibit artwork to the public in Key West. Reproductions of the WPA artist's work were hung throughout town and made into post cards and travel brochures to entice tourists to visit America's only Caribbean city.

—Circa 1853—
Key West Historic Marker
Free Audio Walking Tour
Call: 305•507•0300
Sponsor: Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources

Erected by Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 110.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 24° 33.542′ N, 81° 48.399′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and David Wolkowsky Street, on the left when traveling north on Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Front Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: One-ton slab of marble (a few steps from this marker); Coast Guard Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Mallory Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary (within shouting distance of this marker); Mel Fisher and 1622 Fleet Shipwreck Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Naval Depot and Storehouse-Building One-U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Key West Aquarium (within shouting distance of this marker); Mallory Homesite (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . .
1. Key West Art Center: Nurturing Keys Artists Since the 1930s. (Submitted on May 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Key West Art & Historical Society. (Submitted on May 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, May 4, 2023

2. The Key West Arts Center Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.